You can deny it all you want but when it comes to giving the list of top dishes in the thousand islands of the Philippines, the city of Cebu won’t certainly fail to give an indeed very competitive entry amongst the top contender cuisines.
Is it because of the unusual twists that they love putting into their pride foods? Or is it really just about the irresistible cooking skills which Cebuanos do seem to be naturally born with?
Well, here’s the tea, we could never really know the objective fact which lies behind, but we certainly could decide what our take is by actually examining some of the Cebuano dishes straight through the… processing of our stomach, of course! How else could we judge it without having a taste of it?
To serve as your guide in identifying which among Cebuano foods you should grab first, here is a list made to help you out!
Ginabut
Are you fond of street-foods and would like to know what Cebu has in store for that innate craving of yours? Well, here goes Ginabut for you- the Cebuano version of Chicharon Bulaklak!
Ginabut is a high-cholesterol deep-fried intestine which of course must be consumed in moderation… well, we are already giving you a warning as early as now because coming from the words not only of the locals but even of tourists- once the taste of ginabut overwhelms you, there is no going back.
Our Panlasang Pinoy Rating:
“Crunchy, Flavor Kicks Just Right, and Yummy.”
“Ideal for a to-go food on your whole Cebu trip!”
Tuslob Buwa
Words of Caution: If you’re someone who isn’t a fan of bizarre foods and your guts aren’t that brave enough, then Tuslob Buwa is certainly not for you… that’s some sad news, though.
Tuslob Buwa is made up of pig’s liver or brain which is best consumed by dipping a cooked rice.
Our Panlasang Pinoy Rating:
“Proves that ye’ shall never judge out of one’s appearance.”
“Surprisingly tasty and worth the risk.”
Siomai sa Tisa
Although this meal has originated in China, Cebuanos has preserved and innovated this meal in a way which could serve as a signature of the city- a pride of its locals and a must-try for its tourists.
Siomai sa Tisa is Cebuano version of siomai that is said to be best consumed with that ‘rice wrapped in coconut leaves’. With its Filipino sense of twist in both the flavoring and the meat used for the creation of this dish, definitely, you will then have a whole new standard for siomai which could never be replaced even in your whole life once again.
Our Panlasang Pinoy Rating:
“Pinoy na Pinoy, yet the kind of siomai which could be boasted worldwide!”
Linarang
If buntot ng pagi could hurt like hell when you’re hit with it, a dish called Linarang- which is usually made from pagi or stingray, can bring you to the opposite realm once you’ve tasted it- heaven, indeed!
Linarang is pagi cooked with coconut milk and some –secret ingredients- that most probably, is the main source of the unimaginable taste which it contains.
Looking for the best place which prepares this one? Well, you could best fulfill yourselves by finding streets of Jones St. and Osmena Boulevard. The locals of those place got yo’!
Our Panlasang Pinoy Rating:
“What else could we say, divine! And yeah… you know, the milky version of it.”
Lansiao
Soup-lover, huh? Well, Cebu wouldn’t disappoint you with their pride sip called Lansiao- but oh, did I say that this is something which would require the strength of the gut as much as Tuslob Buwa does? If not yet, then please know that this soup is made up of nothing else but… bull’s genitals.
Don’t worry, beyond the inexplicably well-tasting flavor it offers, you’re all safe with anything your imagination can wander upon.
Our Panlasang Pinoy Rating:
“You’ll forget where it is made up of right after the first sip.”
References:
Eatyourworld.com. (2019). Cebu, Philippines | Local Food Guide. [online] Available at: https://eatyourworld.com/destinations/asia/philippines/cebu [Accessed 10 Feb. 2019].
Southpole Central Hotel – A Place To Stay in Cebu City. (2019). What to Eat in Cebu City? Here is a A Full (2018) Food Guide for Tourist. [online] Available at: https://www.southpolecentralhotel.com/where-to-eat-in-cebu/ [Accessed 10 Feb. 2019].
Escape Manila. (2019). 10 Must-Try Food in Cebu (And Where to Find Them) – Escape Manila. [online] Available at: https://escapemanila.com/2016/07/10-must-try-food-in-cebu.html [Accessed 10 Feb. 2019].
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